As Nigerians grapple with one of the nation’s most devastating episodes of fuel scarcity, there is need for motorists to understand how to conserve and manage the little fuel they have.

A review of vehicle manuals point to tips that can help lower fuel consumption and save cost.

Below are top five methods.

1. The viscosity grade of engine oil

The quality of engine oil one uses in his car is an important factor on how cars consume fuel.

Viscosity, which is the state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid due to internal friction of the car engine, does also determine fuel consumption.

If one uses an engine oil that is not the recommended type for his car or of less grade, at certain temperature, the engine pistons and crankshafts move less freely and add more loads to the engine and eventually consumes more fuel.

2. Adulterated Fuel

Due to anxiety and lack of time to spend a whole day in filling station queues, most Nigerians patronize black market fuel, often adulterated by sellers.

Adulterated fuel doesn’t burn properly and requires copious amount to move the car. That will lead to unprecedented fuel consumption.

3. Driving with Air Conditioner (AC) below 80KM/H

Most Nigerians do not know that driving with the air conditioner on, at a speed below 80KM/H adds an extra load to the engine, hence increases the fuel consumption of the vehicle. If you drive above 100KM/H, you are likely to consume less fuel, research has shown.

4. Expired or poorly inflated tyres

Vehicle tyres have four major functions which include supporting vehicle weight, transferring traction and braking forces on road surface and absorbing road shocks.

If tyres are worn out or poorly inflated, they lost their grip or traction, hence increase resistance which adds more load to engine and cause fuel consumption.

Always check your tyres and make sure they are in good shape.

5. Leakage in Exhaust

Leakages in exhaust ports or manifold affect the combustion process of a vehicle, hence improper emission of fuel that leads to high consumption. This will also slow the engine performance and even cause damage.